S-280 camper build

[m16ty]

I picked up a S-280 out of Ft Campbell with the intentions of turning it into a removable camper for the back of the deuce. I figured I'd start a build thread and try to document it here. I say try because most of my builds that I plan on starting a thread on, I end up getting busy with the work and forget to take pics.

The first order of business is to clean it out and fix a few leaks. It's got a couple of fork stabs in the outer skin which will be easy enough to patch but the roof is going to need more attention. It looks as if the AL roof skin has just corroded through in a couple of spots and has pin holes.

I know a friend that is in the trailer repair business and can get me AL van trailer roofing pretty cheap and my first thought is just put a sheet of that over the whole roof and rivet it down. I've also got a roll of industrial rubber roofing that I've thought about but am unsure of how to attach it where it will hold. Any ideas on this would be appreciated.

 

[TAMU86]

Bought an AAR mobility shelter last year and was fortunate to have the roof in good shape... But still likely to put a UV elastomer roof coating on it.

For yours, would cleaning and then sealing the current roof to ensure all holes are plugged. Then put your new AL sheet on it, rivet it and then a couple coats of UV elastomer coating.

Question is... Are you planning to put any loads on the roof? This will impact the plan...

 

[m16ty]

No loads on the roof. I've even thought about Rhino lining but I'm unsure how well it will hold up.

I'm still leaning toward the solid sheet of AL as that will be the most permanent fix. The rubber roof would be the easiest to install and it's free but as I said above, I don't know how I'd hold it down.

 

[CARNAC]

Eeeeeck, Eeeewh.

I think you should have picked one up in Newnan GA. That looks like a lot of work.

 

[m16ty]

Carnac, I seriously considered yours. This one came available locally so I took a chance. If I had been outbid I was going to try and get yours. The roof was a little surprise but you place your bid and take your chances.

Has anybody tried this stuff- http://www.epdmcoatings.com/rv-liquid-roof-gallon-kit.php ? According to their calculator, I'll need two gallons.

 

[rustystud]

Carnac, I seriously considered yours. This one came available locally so I took a chance. If I had been outbid I was going to try and get yours. The roof was a little surprise but you place your bid and take your chances.

Has anybody tried this stuff- http://www.epdmcoatings.com/rv-liquid-roof-gallon-kit.php ? According to their calculator, I'll need two gallons.

That stuff looks pretty good ! I think I'll buy some and try it out myself.

 

[swbradley1]

Ty, I see you got one.

Two things. Funny, you found out they don't fit on a trailer like that. I borrowed a friend's flat deck tandem to go get mine.

Second is that I just used aluminized roof coating with fiber for mine. It hasn't leaked since I did it.

I want to get mine inside but it has to be dry to get the hoe over and pick it up.

 

[Al Harvey]

Ty, are you gonna try and replace the skids on the shelter? I was looking online and found that AAR Corp says they are "easily replaceable" LOL Having some like the originals would be nice since they are suppose to absorb some shock to the container.

 

[swbradley1]

You have got to check Matt's S-280 removal setup. I first saw it at Haspin with the cylinders and then he made it the cat's azz with the electric and winch setup.


http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?36199-s280-shelter-removal&highlight=

 

[m16ty]

Funny, you found out they don't fit on a trailer like that.

Yea, I knew it wouldn't fit between the fenders before I went after it. That's why I carried the timbers. I was going to borrow my uncle's gooseneck but he was using it so that either left the trailer I used, the deuce, or the tractor/trailer. I figured the tractor/trailer would be a little overkill and I didn't feel like driving the deuce so I just used the timbers.

My buddy ended up giving me a sheet of AL trailer roofing so I guess I'll try to get it fastened down.

Will your backhoe pick it up? I've got a Massey Ferguson 40 hoe and I was wondering if it would pick it. I've got doubts mine will do it.

 

[swbradley1]

I can pick up one end with just the hoe. Gimpy and I have a wire rope harness and I think if we choke up on it enough I will be able to pick it up with the front but the shelter only ways about 11-1200 lbs.

 

[M35A2-AZ]

I used my M936 to put my S-280 in the back of my M923A1.

 

[turnkey]

Looks like lots of fun this spring and summer.....have fun with it.

 

[Recovry4x4]

SWB, considering all the crap that happens at beefco midamerica, you should relocate the M62A2 there.

 

[The King Machine]

I'm working on mine too, exact same project.

 

[m16ty]

I can pick up one end with just the hoe. Gimpy and I have a wire rope harness and I think if we choke up on it enough I will be able to pick it up with the front but the shelter only ways about 11-1200 lbs.

I think I read somewhere 1400lb.

I've a set of forks for my hoe and it's rated to pick up 3,000lb but I'm sure that rating is for something in the bucket. The center of weight is going to be a whole lot further out on the shelter.

This is one problem I have unloading it at home. I've got forklifts with 8' forks and cranes at my place of business but all I have is the old hoe at home. I really want to come up with a way to unload it at home besides having to bring a forklift home every time.

 

[swbradley1]

I'm telling you, Matt's way is just incredible.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Ty, don't use Herculiner for your roof. It is good stuff, but man a black roof, you'd boil in it.

Use something white.

 

[m16ty]

Well I got the roof finished. I used a sheet of thin AL (don't know the thickness but it's the same stuff that roof van trailers with). I formed the edges over the edge of the top, used a piece of 3/16" X 3/5" piece of AL flat bar, and installed monobolts through that. I think I'll have a leak free roof for a long time. I may paint the side area OD to blend in but I think I'll leave the roof unfinished to make the shelter cooler.

My next plan is to start stripping the inside. I'm debating if I want to leave some stuff or start over from scratch. I'd like to leave some of the cabinets because they would work great for storage and counter space but without some major re-arranging I'm not going to have enough room for a double bed in the front. There is way more outlets than I need currently but I may leave the florescent lights. I'll want to add some 24V lights to have light when not hooked to the generator or shore power.

My plan (at the moment) is to have a double bed across the front and and single bunk above that. I'd still like to squeeze another bed in there but I'm unsure where. I plan to install a window in the side opening (where the A/C used to be) to let in a little light. I've still got to find out how I'm going to install A/C.

To remove and install the shelter in the deuce, I plan to add a winch in the front of the bed and a removable rolling tailboard. I've already got a dump so I'll just raise the bed and winch it out. To load, I'll winch it onto the deuce bed. I looked at Matt's install/removal setup and it is pretty nice but I think my winch idea will be faster and easier.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Looks great! Got any sheet left over? I'd make 2 pieces, paint one white and leave them in the sun for an hour or two. Then I'd hit them with a digital thermometer. I'd think the white one would be cooler, if so, I'd paint the roof white!

I learned a long time ago that white shingles on a roof lasted longer than black and repelled heat absorption.